Yesterday, my son came home....
Nicholas had been serving in Afghanistan since January of last year. This was his second deployment, having already served one tour in Iraq in 2003.
I left PI bright and early, and headed up to Fort Pope Air Force Base to meet his plane that was to arrive at 12:00. It took me a while to navagate through all the red tape, but I managed to be there waiting. My heart was in my throat as I saw the plane approaching and making its final descent. Slowly, it manavuered over to the ramp and a unit of soldiers went up to the plane to lay out a red carpet for the returning guys.
Off in the distance, I could see all the soldiers come off the plane and I had such a hard time tryng to figure out just which one was mine. Then finally, as they were parading past us in formation, I saw him. My baby.
After a little formality, they were able to break ranks and he rushed over to me and scooped me in his arms. We wept and hugged. I held onto him for what seemed like eternity, not wanting to let the moment pass. Secretly, I was so happy that I didn't have to share him with anyone and he was mine, all mine, just mine once again.
When Nick completed his processing - turning in his firearms, etc. We high-tailed it out of there and made the 3+ hour drive back to Myrtle Beach for Phase II of Operation V-Day - surprising his wife.
Kirstin hadn't a clue that he was returning early and keeping my excitement a secret was one of the hardest things that I had to do... ever. Still dressed in his fatigues, with an armful of 6 dozen long-stemmed roses, Nick walked into her classroom. The principal was videotaping a "therapy session" and caught the entire thing on tape. Even Marguerite was there, with her camera to capture the moment. There was not a dry eye in the house.
We arrived back home and the front of my house had been decorated, by the rest of my posse - Carol and Barbie, with bouquets of red, white and blue balloons to welcome him home. It looked so festive, a true hero's welcome. And there was a welcome basket, tied in a huge red bow around American flags, that held champagne, cheeses, strawberries, whipped cream, grapes, crackers, breads, chocolates. I have good friends. No. I have great friends.
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I awoke this morning, still in a daze, hoping that yesterday wasn't just a dream. But, it was real and it did happen. My hero came home. And it was the best Valentine's Day... EVER!!
Gosh. And all she got was a lousy pair of socks....